Kenya Airport Authority workers vow to paralyse operations on Tuesday over Adani JKIA-deal

Kenya Airports Authority (KAA) workers have vowed to paralyse all operations on Tuesday, September 3, 2024, in protest the government's plan to lease Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA) to the Indian firm, Adani Holdings Limited.

The staff took to the streets early Monday morning, demanding answers from the relevant state institutions.

Led by the Kenya Aviation Workers Union (KAWU) Secretary General Moss Ndiema, the workers carried placards, while condemning the Public Private Partnership (PPP) deal, which would see Adani Group Holdings take control of East Africa’s busiest airport.

During their protest, they chanted “Adani must go” as they marched back to their workstations.

The workers argue that the deal with Adani poses a threat to their jobs, favouring foreign workers over local employees.

More intense

They have given KAA management until the end of business on Monday to address their grievances. Ndiema warned that Tuesday's strike will be more intense, describing Monday’s action as a "test run."

“Tunafanya testing, testing...tuone kila kitu iko sawa before it is all systems go. If they do not heed our demands we will be back here tomorrow,” Ndiema said.

KAA workers at JKIA have gone on strike to protest the leasing of the airport to the India-based company Adani. pic.twitter.com/cNQgEyCUR2

— The Eastleigh Voice (@Eastleighvoice) September 2, 2024

He praised the workers for their efforts, saying, “I am proud of you because of the work you have done today. All those who have participated have done a good job. We are making an effort to stop the loss of JKIA.”

Ndiema said JKIA is financially self-sufficient and capable of funding its own modernisation, including expansion plans. He argued that any new investor should focus on building a new terminal at JKIA rather than taking over existing operations.

“We are not ready to surrender it to anyone. We are going to do this daily until Adani goes,” he added.

KAWU has consistently opposed the proposal by Adani to manage JKIA. Ndiema reiterated the Union’s determination to halt the project and called for an immediate cessation of all ongoing stakeholder engagements.

“We were given the Adani concession agreement, KAA feasibility study, and some other documents. We have deliberated about the issue, and we resolve that we will make a further delay on our strike action,” Ndiema explained.

The controversy gained further attention on July 28, 2024, when President William Ruto defended the government's decision to lease JKIA under the PPP model. He highlighted the need for investment to modernise the airport and improve its services to better serve Kenyans.

“Let's be honest, Kenyans. The airport we have in Nairobi is made of canvas. This is a temporary structure we built almost seven years ago. Ethiopia has a brand-new airport, and Rwanda has the same. It is the reason why we need to work with investors to have a new airport in Nairobi,” Ruto said.